If you don’t have time and need to constantly set the dining table, don’t have enough free space, or want to divide the kitchen into zones, equip your kitchen with a bar counter. Initially it was used in drinking establishments, then it found application in other public establishments related to the entertainment and recreation sector: casinos, hotels, cafes and restaurants. After some time, bar counters began to appear in the homes of wealthy people and became one of the symbols of wealth and prosperity. When holding large-scale parties, this attribute turned into the epicenter of the action - it gathered all the guests around it, where they could treat themselves to a variety of drinks prepared by a guest bartender or taste snacks.
Residents of the United States were the first to introduce home bars into kitchen design, then their example was followed by the population of Europe, and soon Russia. Today, the furniture market is replete with all sorts of variations in the designs and designs of bar counters, which are already firmly established in everyday life and are actively used in residential buildings around the world.
A fashionable and modern piece of furniture, literally referred to in the West as a “breakfast bar”, which translated means “breakfast bar” or “breakfast counter”, will ideally fit into a space of any configuration and add functionality and a touch of style to the room.
Ways to place bar counters in the kitchen interior
There is an endless number of design solutions that are focused on taking into account all possible features of kitchen premises and satisfying every customer’s wishes. Qualified interior design specialists will develop an individual project without much effort. But what if you don’t want to resort to outside help and additional expenses, and also if you don’t want to make mistakes in planning your kitchen? Generally accepted basic solutions will help with this, ensuring a guaranteed solution to a number of key problems:
- properly equip the space;
- ensure the maximum possible functionality of the kitchen;
- it is expedient and logical to divide the room into several zones;
- create an expressive design without violating the laws of style.
Types of support structures
The base of the bar counter can be individual supports, solid elements, or brackets.
In the first case, chrome-plated metal pipes and wooden legs of round, square or rectangular cross-section are used. This design looks elegant and does not clutter up the room.
The second option involves creating additional storage spaces in the form of a cabinet (one or two, on each side). The underframe can be made of chipboard, MDF, solid wood, or plasterboard. In a small kitchen, creating such a structure is unjustified, since it will visually “eat up” the space.
The brackets reliably support the wall-mounted tabletop. In the folding version, the stops are attached to the back of the lid and independently occupy the desired position after lifting. Their number depends on the length of the surface. Lack of contact with the floor has a positive effect on overall perception.
The presence of a crossbar for the legs in the lower part contributes to a comfortable position, but in some products it is missing for a number of reasons. In this case, chairs and stools are chosen with a stand.
Bar counter in a studio apartment
For owners of a studio apartment, the bar counter is one of the most appropriate interior items. Regardless of the shape of the room - square or rectangle - it can be easily divided into functional areas - kitchen and living room - due to a sufficient number of square meters.
The owner of the apartment will only need to decide on how to place the bar stools. If you plan to watch TV while eating, which will be in the living room, then it makes sense to install seating in the kitchen area. In the case when you spend a lot of time cooking and you need more free space to move, it is logical to place the chairs on the side of the living area.
Manufacturing materials
The bar countertop material must meet a number of requirements:
- strength;
- resistance to aggressive factors;
- durability;
- aesthetic appeal;
- environmental Safety.
Traditional types are used in production, such as: wood boards, plastic, wood, glass and stone.
- Chipboard and MDF with a protective coating are quite a worthy option. Thanks to a wide selection of shades and textures, it’s easy to choose the right model. However, damage to the surface layer can lead to rapid destruction of the table.
- Wood will give the product a rich and solid look and ensure a long service life. It is varnished, oiled or painted. The downside is the massiveness, which can be a determining factor.
- It is easy to give plastic an unusual shape and any color. The weak point is considered to be thermal deformation and low mechanical resistance.
- A small bar table made of glass, due to its transparency, looks light and at the same time unloads the common space. However, the glass tabletop gets dirty quickly and therefore requires constant care. Discomfort is caused by excessive noise and coldness.
- Natural stone will decorate any room, but requires corresponding execution from other furnishings. The material has significant weight, price, and is prone to the formation of persistent stains due to its porous structure.
- The artificial analogue does not have many disadvantages. It will cost an order of magnitude cheaper, weighs less, and does not require complex maintenance. With its help you can create a surface without seams.
- The countertop, lined with ceramic tiles, looks interesting.
When choosing, you should focus on the working surface of the kitchen unit and the color of the walls. For a small kitchen, light colors are considered preferable, as they visually reduce the size of the furniture. In addition, this color scheme makes any dirt (stains, crumbs, dust, drops of liquid) less noticeable.
Photo ideas for inspiration
Color and design
The color of the bar counters depends on the design of the kitchen. The countertop does not have to be decorated in the same tone as the other surfaces. You can work with the facades, for example, white walls and a small table of the same color will help visually expand the space of the room. It turns out to be an interesting design move with a contrasting black and white option.
Advantages of placing a PC in tables, assembling the structure yourself
If the kitchen has an island design, then you can install neon lighting in the side and top panels of the countertop. Using the control panel, the furniture will shimmer in different colors. Such a set will become the pride of the apartment owners.
The interior with a bar counter can be decorated in any style, based on the design of the room. The main feature of the product is functionality. The decor should be color shades, the material itself, and the shape of the tabletop. Product options in different styles:
- Baroque and Empire style models made of veneer, MDF and acrylic look pretentious. Rectangular, island and wall-mounted models look especially luxurious. Carved patterns arranged symmetrically add sophistication to the products.
- A variety of models can be installed in a modern style kitchen. Bar counters of a curvilinear, asymmetrical shape are decorated with artistic painting. Metal products made with fashionable accessories look especially stylish.
- High-tech products made from impact-resistant transparent or colored glass look impressive. The material guarantees the durability of the furniture. If the models are arranged with lighting, the originality of the dining room decoration is ensured.
- A bar counter for a kitchen in a classic style is made of expensive wood with a beautiful structure. This design is equipped with shelves and drawers. Decorative moldings with overhead elements are allowed.
- English and Mediterranean styles use natural stone for countertops. The products are finished with elegant cladding in a refined shape. Chairs that complement the bar counters are selected with carvings from the classic lines.
- Avant-garde is characterized by color contrasts and broken lines. Bright multi-level tables would be appropriate.
- Loft style - bar counters of strict shapes with massive countertops.
Racks are an excellent option for a small kitchen, if you think through all the details correctly and choose the right furniture. It is recommended to expand their functionality due to design features. Particularly practical are corner-type options equipped with cabinets and shelves.
Unusual solutions
Since the bar counter often becomes the central piece of the kitchen, housewives try to attract even more attention to it and make it original.
The loft style allows you to add the most exclusivity to the interior. Here you can often find racks made of foam blocks, lids, plywood, logs and other available materials.
Creative options are also found in other interiors. People are instinctively drawn to water, so stands with an aquarium and even in the shape of a ship are not uncommon. Such models will look great in Mediterranean design.
In more classic interiors, you can focus on functionality and, for example, combine a counter with a fireplace. If desired, you can decorate it in an antique style and make the chairs leather.
At the bar construction site, the countertops were finished with natural stone.
In modern styles, you can afford a complete riot of unusual design ideas. The interactive bar counter is considered a trend for 2022 and 2022. Glass is placed on the tabletop, to which LED light bulbs are connected. Contact models can respond to touch. The process can be seen in the following video.
Interactive bar counter I-Bar
A few more options for unusual bar counters in a modern style in kitchens combined with a living room.
Lighting
In the kitchen, centralized lighting is often sufficient: ceiling or wall lighting. However, in our opinion, the bar counter is a rather bright element that deserves additional lighting.
You can highlight the support from below to make it appear taller
In many ways, the lighting depends on what kind of bar counter you have chosen and in what style you have decorated your kitchen.
The most commonly used options are:
- If the holder is installed against a wall, you can use small sconces. They will add some intimacy to meetings at the bar.
- Ceiling lights with long wires look good. However, when choosing such a lamp, it is important to ensure that it does not hang too low, otherwise you risk catching your head on it when standing up.
- For kitchens in a modern style, you can use an LED strip - it will give the interior a certain touch of whimsy and highlight the bar counter beautifully.
- An interesting solution is hidden lighting under the soaring ceiling. Such lighting is of little use, but it looks beautiful.
Use accessories
Have you ever been to a bartending show? If not, then it's time to correct this omission. Notice how accessible all kinds of gadgets that professional bartenders use are.
They will greatly facilitate the process of preparing (and not just drinks!) even in an ordinary home kitchen.
Bar accessories: elegant and comfortable
Including geysers for bottling (they can be used not only for wine, but also for oil and vinegar), blenders and shakers, all kinds of whisks, ice picks and pestles for crushing fruit... You won't believe it, but it's really cheap. In addition, such gadgets look simply stylish. Combine business with pleasure: decorate your bar counter with them.
